PTHS Food Service Tech

LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES•Natchitoches, LA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Food Services Tech is responsible for assisting in the implementation of food services in a Head Start program serving children. Responsibilities include assisting in preparing attractive, USDA-approved meals, keeping the kitchen and classroom areas clean and sanitary according to Health Department ordinances, and maintaining adequate food stocks, kitchen supplies, and nutrition records.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred.
Prior knowledge of early childhood nutrition is required.
Strong ethical background in regards to food preparation, food sanitation, and child interaction.
Excellent decision-making and communication skills.
High degree of tact and professionalism.
Strong positive attitude.

Responsibilities

Serve vended meals that are nutritious and that take into consideration children’s various cultures and individual nutritional needs. Understand and use child nutritional needs and age-specific portion sizes to prepare meals in accordance with USDA guidelines.
Understand and strictly adhere to health, safety, food handling, and sanitation requirements before, during, and after meal preparation.
Follow menu guidelines and adjust when necessary, due to the availability of menu items or an individual child’s needs.
Prepare and serve family-style meals for children, volunteers, and staff, ensuring delivery to each classroom.
Daily Food Delivery: Responsible for ensuring that food is received at the proper temperature and in the correct amounts ordered. File all delivery food forms from SDC into the MB.
Test and verify the temperature of cooked food that will be transported, to ensure it has the holding temperature of 140°F or above for hot food, and below 40°F for cold food.
Maintain the safety of the environment for staff and children. Store food and supplies properly. Perform physical inventory of equipment and/or supplies.
Maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen at all times.
Maintain and be aware of center allergies and concerns. Ensure that every child with a documented food allergy receives the correct substitution.
Wash and store dishes. Clean and sanitize the food transport carrier daily. Complete cleaning checklists as required, and file in MB.
Ensure disposal of garbage each school day.
Maintain the Food Services Master Binder for the site, as well as provide updated reports to the Food Services Coordinator as needed. Document all menu substitutions in Master Binder (MB).
Keep daily temperature logs of all equipment and food; file in MB at the end of the month.
Fill out the Food Substitution Log for all special diet substitutions.
Ensure that SDC Attendance and SDC Weekly Work Sheet are filed into the MB, and are available for review by clerks, CD, or the FSM as needed.
Provide courteous and prompt service to all internal and external clients. Prioritize and address requests and assignments in a professional manner to develop cooperative relationships and to ensure that client confidentiality is assured.
Identify opportunities and recommend methods to improve service, work processes, and financial performance, e.g., expense management. Assists in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
Assist co-workers in the completion of tasks and assignments to ensure continuity of service. Orient new co-workers and actively support teamwork throughout the organization.
Perform other duties as required.